WINTER RUNNING FROM THE INSIDE OUT

The benefits of combining indoor running with outdoor running.

Like we covered in our last post, Win Your Winter, depending on the weather and your location, running outside isn’t always an option. But that doesn’t mean you should stop running during those times. Here, we’ll take a look at the benefits of including indoor running into your winter run routine.

RUNNING INDOORS

Sometimes, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

There are plenty of reasons to love indoor running. Of course, the biggest one, is that it is available to us year-round. Here are some additional benefits of running indoors: 

• Complete control. 

  When you’re running on a treadmill, you can have total control of your run. You can accurately control you speed, timing, intervals, recovery and more. 

• Set goals and reach them. 

  Use these added controls to your advantage by allowing them to drive personal goals. Your goals could involve distance, speed, timing and more. And on a treadmill, they’re easy to track and stick to throughout. 

• Automatic incline. 

  Or looking to up your incline? Don’t worry about climbing icy hills. Treadmills bring the incline to you. It’s an easy way to work on progression, vert or power hiking. (Well, it’s easy to get. The actual work...not so easy!)
  

RUNNING OUTDOORS

Running—let's take this outside.

We all know how nice it is to be outside when the weather cooperates. Here are some additional benefits of running outside:

• Seizing the scenery. 

  A huge advantage to outdoor running is the ability to soak up the scenery. Even during the colder months of the year, it feels good to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and perhaps some snow-covered trees or peaks. Plus, the best way to beat cabin fever is to...get out of the “cabin”! 

• Stabilizing your run. 

  While treadmills offer a variety of speeds and inclines, you only really get to experience one type of surface. Running outdoors lets you experience a variety of surfaces and terrains. In doing so, you can improve your strength and stability. Just make sure you’ve got the right shoes with the right traction for tactical or icy terrain.

• Take a shot at a run in the dark. 

  Just because daylight is cut short in the winter doesn’t mean your running has to be too. Try getting a headlamp and experience running in the dark. You may be surprised at how peaceful it can be to run before dawn or by the light of a full moon.